October 30, 2013

Oneida and NFL discuss "Redskins"

By Mark MaskeWashington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder is scheduled to meet with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell this week in advance of the league’s planned meeting with representatives of a Native American group that opposes the team’s name, according to a person familiar with the situation.

The person, speaking on the condition of anonymity because neither the league nor the team had publicly confirmed the meeting, said there is no indication that Snyder has modified his stance about changing the name.

The meeting between Snyder and Goodell “is to get more of an understanding from the club as to how it plans to address the issue,” according to the person with knowledge of the situation.Reports: Goodell, Snyder meet

By John KeimWashington Redskins owner Dan Snyder met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Tuesday regarding the franchise's nickname, though the meeting was more about strategy in dealing with protesters, according to The Washington Post.

The newspaper reported that Snyder told Goodell, once again, that he isn't going to change the team's name.

In recent weeks Snyder has spoken about the history of the franchise and the image the team conveys to its supporters. Previously, Snyder had simply said he was not going to change the name.

The league also reportedly wanted to know how the Redskins plan on dealing with the opposition to their nickname. Goodell is scheduled to meet with representatives of the Oneida Indian Nation on Wednesday to discuss the Redskins' name.

By Don Van Natta Jr.Representatives of the Oneida Indian Nation on Wednesday asked NFL executives to sanction Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder for conduct detrimental to the league for continuing to use a team nickname and mascot that "promote a dictionary-defined racial slur."

In the 90-minute meeting between Oneida Nation representatives and three senior league executives in New York City, the officials also asked for all team owners to meet with Oneida leaders the week of Super Bowl XLVIII. And they asked that Snyder and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who was traveling Wednesday and did not attend the meeting, visit Oneida Nation homelands in upstate New York.

But the Oneida representatives left disappointed, saying after the meeting with senior NFL executives Jeff Pash, Adolpho Birch and Paul Hicks that the league "defended the use of a racist name," Oneida spokesman Joel Barkin said.

By Arturo GarciaAdvocates for the Oneida Indian Nation vowed to continue their efforts to get Washington D.C.’s NFL team to change its name following a meeting with the National Football League on Wednesday, ESPN reported.

“We are very disappointed,” Oneida spokesperson Joel Barkin told ESPN. “This is the beginning of a process. It’s clear that they don’t see how this is not a unifying term. They don’t have a complete appreciation for the breadth of opposition of Native Americans to this mascot and name.”

Tribal representative Ray Halbritter reportedly gave NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell a 30-page report (PDF) commissioned by Oneida leaders that argues that the team’s continued use of the name “Redskins,” which they have described as a slur, aids prejudice against Native American communities.

Manhattan meeting makes no progress in name dispute between team owner and American Indians

By Matthew HallOneida Indian Nation members yesterday called on the National Football League to use its authority to force the Washington Redskins football team to change its controversial name.

Representatives from the Oneida Nation met in New York City on Wednesday with the NFL and Washington Redskins officials.

But, seemingly like their counterparts in Washington's Congress, the three parties could not come to any agreement on the issue of the football team's name.

The roadblock is caused by Redskins' owner Daniel Snyder's refusal to change the name, Oneida's refusal to back down from their claim the name is offensive, and the NFL's apparent refusal to take a stand on the issue.

'We requested that the commissioner use his authority to refer Daniel Snyder to the league for possible sanction over the continued use of the term,' said Oneida representative Ray Halbritter, referring to the Redskins owner, according to ABC News. 'If the commissioner lacks the power to act, he should publicly say so.'

'Despite ridiculous assertions to the contrary, the use of the R-word is not a unifying force nor does it convey respect. It is the very word our people heard when they were dragged by gunpoint off their land and dragged onto reservations,' Halbritter said.But it wasn't all about the Redskins at the meeting:

By Patrick HowleyDisputed American Indian activist Ray Halbritter’s New York City press conference to change the name of the Washington Redskins was interrupted by an advocate for disenfranchised members of Halbritter’s own tribe.

An ugly scene ensued at New York’s Marriott Marquis as New York Assemblywoman Claudia Tenney confronted Halbritter over his mistreatment of genuine members of the Oneida Indian Nation, which Halbritter leads as a profit-driven casino oligarch.

Halbritter’s “Change the Mascot” press conference, following his high-profile meeting with NFL officials, was covered by ESPN, Comcast, YouTube Sports, TIME Magazine, and many other mainstream outlets.

The Daily Caller previously reported that Halbritter, a 1/4 Indian and Obama crony, is not a legitimate member of the Oneida Indian Nation, according to U.S. Census rolls and genealogical documents.Comment: I think the right-wing Daily Caller's "report" is more of an opinion than a fact. But Halbritter's reign has been controversial at times, especially among Oneida traditionalists.